50 Cent Admits Retirement Threat Was Just to Sell Records

FUSE TV - 50 Cent Admits Retirement Threat Was Just to Sell Records

Remember the epic battle that took place five years ago between 50 Cent and Kanye West? Yeah, probably not, so here's a refresher: Both 50 and Kanye dropped massively anticipated albums on the same day and in the heat of the moment, 50 Cent promised to quit rap if 'Ye bested him in first-week album sales.

"If Kanye West sells more records than 50 Cent on September 11, [2007], I’ll no longer write music. I’ll write music and work with my other artists, but I won’t put out any more solo albums," Fif told SOHH.com

Well, that week came, the records dropped and Kanye's Graduation outsold 50's Curtis by 266,000 copies. As you might have noticed in the five years since then, 50 Cent did not, in fact, make good on his promise to retire. So recently, XXL got Fif to look back on that threat to call it a day and asked, "Wha happened?"

"That was something that we created,” Jackson told XXL. “Obviously, it riled the fans up in every way and the results are always bigger sales than usual. Both of the numbers were bigger than what they would have been [otherwise]," he said. Even by losing to West, 50 still sold a whopping 691,000 in a week. "We didn’t have no beef at all…. It was just great marketing."

What?! "No beef"? "Just marketing"? These are the words of a cold, calculating businessman. Not what I'd expect from the man who once bared his soul with lyrics like, "I love you like a fat kid love cake."

To think that artists would make up controversies just to sell albums! It almost makes me wonder if he only endorsed headphones just to make money, But no, I'm becoming too cynical.

We think you'll enjoy these related videos below and for more great content featuring your favorite artists, sign up for Fuse+ to access all our videos.

SEX SELLS

SEX SELLS

Sex Sells: Bloopers

10m

Sex Sells: Bloopers

A Tough Sell

22m

A Tough Sell

Marissa Challenges Her Mom To A $50 Bet

1m

Marissa Challenges Her Mom To A $50 Bet

Just Be Free

21m

Just Be Free

It Just Got Real

41m

It Just Got Real

ELLE AND TITO: JUST MARRIED

ELLE AND TITO: JUST MARRIED

The Dirtiest Song Ever Recorded

21m

The Dirtiest Song Ever Recorded

Just Blaze & Packer Shoes Discuss Saucony Collaboration

4m

Just Blaze & Packer Shoes Discuss Saucony Collaboration

Thirst Day Was The Worst Day

20m

Thirst Day Was The Worst Day

Jesus Was a Homeless Baby Too

21m

Jesus Was a Homeless Baby Too

Monalisa Discusses The Nostalgic Appeal of Vinyl Records

1m

Monalisa Discusses The Nostalgic Appeal of Vinyl Records

Carlos Niño Shares His All-Time Favorite Record

2m

Carlos Niño Shares His All-Time Favorite Record

Free The Robots Reveals Where He Found One of His Rarest Records

1m

Free The Robots Reveals Where He Found One of His Rarest Records

To Shave, or Not to Shave

42m

To Shave, or Not to Shave

FILMMAKERS TO WATCH

FILMMAKERS TO WATCH

Maid To Order

45m

Maid To Order

Toe to Toe

1h 43m

Toe to Toe

Two to Tango

46m

Two to Tango

Right To Twerk

20m

Right To Twerk

Care to Laugh

1h 16m

Care to Laugh

Welcome To Hollywood

21m

Welcome To Hollywood

Who Came To Win?

20m

Who Came To Win?

Welcome to The 212

20m

Welcome to The 212

Go Back to China

1h 21m

Go Back to China

Hail To The King

22m

Hail To The King

Welcome to the Jungle

46m

Welcome to the Jungle

Down to the Wire

45m

Down to the Wire

That Farm To Table Ish

20m

That Farm To Table Ish

How To Be A Disruptor

20m

How To Be A Disruptor

Taylor Swift: Dare to Dream

41m

Taylor Swift: Dare to Dream

Time To Take 'Em Down

20m

Time To Take 'Em Down

George Michael: Easy to Pretend

56m

George Michael: Easy to Pretend

Back To The Heart Attack Grill

2m

Back To The Heart Attack Grill

Get To Know Deana: Fluffy Fanatic

1m

Get To Know Deana: Fluffy Fanatic

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT AMERICA

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT AMERICA

Get to Know Gil: Fluffy Fanatic

1m

Get to Know Gil: Fluffy Fanatic

The Legend of Baron To'a

1h 39m

The Legend of Baron To'a

Comedians React to SHOCKING US Laws!

6m

Comedians React to SHOCKING US Laws!

That Back To The Future Ish

20m

That Back To The Future Ish

The Best Is Yet To Come

20m

The Best Is Yet To Come

King Keraun Attempts to Fly Board

6m

King Keraun Attempts to Fly Board

Women's Rights & Strengths Coming To Light

8m

Women's Rights & Strengths Coming To Light

Get To Know Mariposa: Fluffy Fanatic

1m

Get To Know Mariposa: Fluffy Fanatic

Phelisha

10m

Phelisha

It's Hard To Raise Yourself These Days

20m

It's Hard To Raise Yourself These Days

Suck It Up and Go to Mars

21m

Suck It Up and Go to Mars

Danny Trejo Welcomes You to Trejo's Tacos

2m

Danny Trejo Welcomes You to Trejo's Tacos

What Not To Ask A Trans Woman

1m

What Not To Ask A Trans Woman

Wearing Your Shower Curtain to the Club

41m

Wearing Your Shower Curtain to the Club

King Keraun Goes "Back to the Future"

6m

King Keraun Goes "Back to the Future"

Fat Joe Brings Smoothini to Rucker Park

2m

Fat Joe Brings Smoothini to Rucker Park

Immigrants Are Starting To Take A Stand!

5m

Immigrants Are Starting To Take A Stand!

King Keraun Attempts to Become A Ventriloquist

6m

King Keraun Attempts to Become A Ventriloquist

Where Is It Illegal To Eat Frogs?!

14m

Where Is It Illegal To Eat Frogs?!

Can Devon and Crystal Come to Some Resolution?

2m

Can Devon and Crystal Come to Some Resolution?

Here's What to Expect on "Saturday Morning Fever"

2m

Here's What to Expect on "Saturday Morning Fever"

We're Here to Help: LGBTQIA+ Resources & Charities

1m

We're Here to Help: LGBTQIA+ Resources & Charities

Where Is It ILLEGAL to Send Unwanted Pizzas?

6m

Where Is It ILLEGAL to Send Unwanted Pizzas?

Is It Illegal To Trip A Horse Up?

7m

Is It Illegal To Trip A Horse Up?

Mom Wants Me to Find a Tinder Match

20m

Mom Wants Me to Find a Tinder Match

King Keraun Attempts to Become An "Archery Master"

6m

King Keraun Attempts to Become An "Archery Master"

Hip-Hop Stars & NBA Legends Signature Sneakers

6m

Hip-Hop Stars & NBA Legends Signature Sneakers

Will Bambiana's Anger Issues Lead to Termination: First Look

37s

Will Bambiana's Anger Issues Lead to Termination: First Look

Casey Brings Her Hosting Skills To iCandy Nightclub

1m

Casey Brings Her Hosting Skills To iCandy Nightclub

Comedians React to Unbelievably Strange Laws in the US

6m

Comedians React to Unbelievably Strange Laws in the US

Chapter 3 Goes From Tagging Graffiti to An Artist & Producer

9m

Chapter 3 Goes From Tagging Graffiti to An Artist & Producer

Peder Cho Transforms Basic Cargo Shorts to a Bucket Hat

9m

Peder Cho Transforms Basic Cargo Shorts to a Bucket Hat

The Fluffy Crew Says Hello to Rebellion's 'Fat Boy Finesse'

3m

The Fluffy Crew Says Hello to Rebellion's 'Fat Boy Finesse'

G Fella and Suits Back to Their Roots: G-Thing

2m

G Fella and Suits Back to Their Roots: G-Thing

King Keraun Attempts to Become An "Archery Master" YouTube

6m

King Keraun Attempts to Become An "Archery Master" YouTube

Who Will be Cut from Team Freedia to Save Finances?

2m

Who Will be Cut from Team Freedia to Save Finances?

Xristina Tries To Romance A Ghost At A Haunted B&B

2m

Xristina Tries To Romance A Ghost At A Haunted B&B

King Keraun Learns To Make Bread From Scratch From A Baker

8m

King Keraun Learns To Make Bread From Scratch From A Baker

Dancin' On Air Producer Once Told Madonna to Clean Her Mess

1m

Dancin' On Air Producer Once Told Madonna to Clean Her Mess

First Gen Comedians React to Cringy Episodes of "Pant Off Dance Off"

1m

First Gen Comedians React to Cringy Episodes of "Pant Off Dance Off"

Peder Cho Shows How to DIY a Blazer Into a Tweed Vest

9m

Peder Cho Shows How to DIY a Blazer Into a Tweed Vest

Shenseea Shares Her Rags to Riches Story & Cooks A Native Jamaican Dish

8m

Shenseea Shares Her Rags to Riches Story & Cooks A Native Jamaican Dish

Is Tossing Your Man's Salad The Way To His Heart: Dear Bambiana

2m

Is Tossing Your Man's Salad The Way To His Heart: Dear Bambiana

Xristina's Trust Issues, Nya Needs to Step Up at Work: First Look

36s

Xristina's Trust Issues, Nya Needs to Step Up at Work: First Look

You Need A Certification To Be A Fortune Teller!? Funny US Laws

5m

You Need A Certification To Be A Fortune Teller!? Funny US Laws

King Keraun Learns How To Make The Perfect At Home Pillow Fort

6m

King Keraun Learns How To Make The Perfect At Home Pillow Fort

How Much Is too Much When It Comes to Sex with Weezy

6m

How Much Is too Much When It Comes to Sex with Weezy

'Transcendent' First Look: An Emotional Look to the Past & Toward the Future

21s

'Transcendent' First Look: An Emotional Look to the Past & Toward the Future

Peder Cho Shows How to DIY Denim Bootcut Jeans Into a Shoulder Bag

10m

Peder Cho Shows How to DIY Denim Bootcut Jeans Into a Shoulder Bag

King Keraun Learns How To Crochet A Face Mask From A Pro Knitter

8m

King Keraun Learns How To Crochet A Face Mask From A Pro Knitter

Silly String Is Illegal in What US City!? Comedians React to Strange Laws

6m

Silly String Is Illegal in What US City!? Comedians React to Strange Laws

The Canvas LA: Spotlight How Rhianna Went From Flea Markets to Her Jewelry Line, Vidakush

9m

The Canvas LA: Spotlight How Rhianna Went From Flea Markets to Her Jewelry Line, Vidakush

Peder Cho Shows How to DIY A Pair of Jeans into the Ultimate Y2K Mini Skirt

10m

Peder Cho Shows How to DIY A Pair of Jeans into the Ultimate Y2K Mini Skirt

The Star Gets Real About Breast Implants: Dear Bambiana

1m

The Star Gets Real About Breast Implants: Dear Bambiana

Haymaker

1h 15m

Haymaker

The Feels

1h 21m

The Feels

Gringo 101

22m

Gringo 101

Not Quite Done

46m

Not Quite Done

Ciara

20m

Ciara

The Beatles: In the Life

1h 2m

The Beatles: In the Life

Bo vs. Aubrey

45m

Bo vs. Aubrey

Spin Doctor's Vinyl Collection

12m

Spin Doctor's Vinyl Collection

The Reunion

45m

The Reunion

Rory Shares His First Time Podcasting & Becoming A "Dad"

3m

Rory Shares His First Time Podcasting & Becoming A "Dad"